. >> chris christie making an appearance at the white house. >> best friend forever. >> what is that? he's probably the one in the best position for 2016 at this point. i mean -- >> there's a thing about winning primaries he has to get through. the more he shows up at the white house for holiday party or whatever he's doing there, the harder it's going to be. >> hurricane sandy. >> obviously new jersey still needs help. and he's not helping his political career doing that. a general election, yes. but he does have to face conservative threats in the primaries, not the best way. >> a cynical view of this -- >> sorry. it's holiday season but it's true. >> that's why we have you here. you call it like it is, my friend. that's all for us. thank you. we have to go. but i'll see you back leer tomorrow at noon eastern, 9:00 a.m. pacific joined by ben white, joan walsh, ben smith and msnbc's very own chris heys. until then, follow us on twitter -- wow, having a hard time with the teleprompter. "andrea mitchell reports" next. chris cillizza is filling in for her. good afternoon, mr. cillizza.